Method for monitoring the operation of a medication delivery device, an electronic module, and a medication delivery system
View Patent ↗The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a medication delivery device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a medication delivery device, the medication delivery device comprises a medication delivery module, providing an electronic module coupled to the medication delivery device, the electronic module comprises a sensor element, a control element, and a storing element, detecting, using the sensor element, signals generated in response to a measurable operation of the medication delivery module, generating electronic data by processing, using the control element, electronic information derived from the detected signals, the electronic data comprises information about a medication delivery characteristic of at least one measurable operation of the medication delivery module, and storing the electronic data in the storing element.
1. A liquid delivery pen for delivering medication, comprising:
a medical delivery module, comprising
a housing in the shape of a pen having an end portion and a receptacle configured to carry an internal cartridge containing medication;
a detachable cap coupled to the housing opposite the end portion covering a needle and when the detachable cap is removed a needle is revealed;
an adjustment knob coupled to the housing end portion rotatable to regulate the dose of medication to be dispensed having a display window to show the value of medication to be dispensed; and
an electronic module coupled to the housing, comprising,
a power supply for powering components of the electronic module
a sensor element to detect measurement signals from axial vibration arising from operation of the medical delivery module,
a control element to process measurement signals from the sensor element into electronic data,
a storing element to store electronic data generated by the control element,
a data interface coupled to the storing element to provide wireless data exchange using one of radio frequency communications, near field communications, or infrared communications, and
activation means to activate or deactivate the data interface to provide data interchange.
2. The liquid delivery pen of claim 1 wherein,
the electronic module is configured as a means for coupling attached to the end portion of the housing, the means for coupling carrying a touch contact element that is coupled to a piezoelectric sensor to detect axial vibration and generate measurement signals that are processed by the control element and stored by the storing element.
3. The liquid delivery pen of claim 2 wherein the touch contact element is a in the shape of a sphere.
4. The liquid delivery pen of claim 2 wherein the means for coupling also serves as the adjustment knob of the liquid delivery pen.
5. The liquid delivery pen of claim 2 wherein piezoelectric sensor detection of axial vibration is indicative of an expelling event.